People are being urged to reconsider their Christmas plans as the transmission of the virus has now reached worrying levels.
It comes as the latest figures yesterday recorded 764 more cases of Covid-19 in Ireland.
The five day average number of cases has now risen to 557, while the estimated 14-day incidence rate is now above 112 cases per 100,000.
CMO Dr Tony Holohan said:
“If you have been socialising in the past few weeks or over this weekend, consider your Christmas plans carefully. Is it responsible to meet with your family over 65 later this week, if you have not kept your contacts low?"
"Should you cancel your plans? We have the very real prospect of Covid-19 vaccines on the horizon. Ensure that your loved ones stay alive to receive them, by keeping your distance from them if you have not restricted your movements to this point."
"As difficult as it may seem, staying away from older family this Christmas will protect them - and it would be an exceptional sacrifice made for the common good,” Dr Holohan said.
